How To Set Up a VPN for a Small Business

No business—big or small—is immune to the risks of modern networking. But for small businesses especially, setting up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is vital to ensure secure, private connections and protect against advanced cyber threats. 

This guide walks you through the basics of how to set up a VPN for your business, step-by-step.

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a secure, encrypted connection that links remote users to a private network. When a VPN is enabled, it masks your IP address, providing a layer of privacy and security that prevents unauthorized users from accessing data. 

For a small business, a VPN ensures that any data sent or received by employees remains confidential.

Why do Small Businesses Need a VPN?

Here’s why small businesses need a VPN.

Threat Protection

Thanks to strong encryption protocols, VPNs make it difficult for threat actors to intercept data passing through the network, protecting against risks like:

• Man-in-the-middle attacks
• Data theft
• Malware infections
• Unauthorized access

Privacy 

Maintaining secure connections is essential for safeguarding sensitive data such as customer details, financial records, and internal communications. A VPN helps protect this information by encrypting data and hiding your business’s IP address, protecting against corporate espionage and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. 

Secure Connections

More than a quarter of employees now work in remote or hybrid setups, accessing company resources from all around the world. A VPN provides them with a secure link to the company’s private network, whether they’re working from home, the office, or a coffee shop.

Types of VPNs: Remote Access vs. Site-to-Site

Here are the two types of VPNs:

• Remote Access (or client-to-site) VPN: Allows individual users to connect to a private network from remote locations and endpoints. This type is ideal if your employees work remotely and need secure access to files and applications.

• Site-to-Site VPN: Connects entire networks, typically used for linking different office locations. For small businesses with multiple branches, a site-to-site VPN can significantly streamline communications between different locations.

Read more on the difference between remote access and site-to-site VPNs to know which one is the right for you.

How to Choose the Right VPN Protocol

VPNs use different encryption protocols to secure data. 

The right one for your business depends on your future growth plans and remote work policies, as well as how often employees will use the VPN and on which devices. 

So, here are some protocols commonly used by small businesses:

• OpenVPN: Known for its strong security and compatibility with various devices.
• IKEv2/IPsec: Ideal for mobile devices as it can quickly reconnect after disruptions.
• L2TP/IPsec: Provides strong encryption but is generally slower due to double encapsulation.
• WireGuard: A lightweight, high-performance protocol that’s easy to set up. WireGuard has quickly gained popularity as a newer VPN option.
• Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP): SSTP offers strong security and is effective for bypassing firewalls, but is limited to Windows systems and requires an SSL certificate.

What to Look for in a VPN Provider

When choosing a VPN provider for your business, it’s important to look for features that guarantee security, privacy, and flexibility across all your devices. 

Here are a few key factors to consider:

• Strong Encryption: Look for AES-256 encryption to keep data secure.
• No-Logs Policy: This ensures that the VPN provider doesn’t store any of your business’s data.
• Dedicated IP Address: A dedicated IP address is essential for certain business applications.
• Mobile Device Support: Make sure the VPN supports all mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.

5-Step Guide: How to Set up a VPN for a Small Business 

Let’s now take a look at the 5-step set up for a VPN.

#1. Prepare for VPN Setup

Before you get started, make sure you have the following:

• A VPN Provider: Consider providers based on the features above, as well as their pricing structures and track records. 
• Network Equipment: Most routers can support VPNs, but make sure that your network hardware is VPN-compatible.
• IT Support: If possible, involve an IT professional to help you with the process, especially if you’re setting up a site-to-site VPN.

#2. Configure Your Network

Once you have the essentials in place, it’s time to configure your network. This involves:

• Setting Up IP Addressing: Each device on your private network will need a unique IP address.
• Adjusting Router Settings: Log into your router and enable VPN support. Many routers offer built-in VPN options; however, some may require you to install firmware updates first.
• Prepare Your Network: Remove any old VPN software that you no longer need and double check your router is compatible with your new VPN provider.

#3. Install the VPN Software

Next, download and install the software provided by your VPN provider on each device that will use the VPN. This includes computers, mobile devices, and potentially your office router.

Most VPN providers have installation guides to help with setup on multiple device types.

#4. Test Your VPN

Once installed, test your VPN to ensure it’s working properly. Verify:

• Connection Security: Check that data transfers are encrypted.
• IP Address Masking: Use an IP lookup tool to make sure that your business’s IP address is hidden.
• Access to Resources: Confirm that remote employees can access files, applications, and other essential resources through the new VPN.

#5. Assess your VPN’s Performance

Now that your VPN is up and running, it’s worth making sure that it won’t impact your company’s productivity or growth in the future. Review these features: 

• Speed: Test the connection speed to make sure it’s fast enough for daily operations. There are many applications available for this, such as Speedtest.  
• Reliability: A stable VPN connection is critical. If the connection frequently drops, employees may lose access to the private network.
• Scalability: If you think that your business is set for growth, choose a VPN solution that can expand with it. 

The Most Common VPN Challenges for Small Businesses

Setting up a VPN can come with a few challenges. Here’s how to address some common issues:

• Slow Speeds: If the VPN slows down your connection, consider a provider with high bandwidth and servers located close to your business’s physical location.
• Compatibility Issues: Make sure that your VPN supports all mobile devices and operating systems used by your employees.
• Employee Training: Educate employees on when and how to use the VPN, secure login practices, and basic troubleshooting to avoid accidental disconnections or misuse. 

Get the Best VPN for Your Business with Check Point

Protecting your network against evolving threats requires advanced security. 

Check Point’s SASE provides fast, secure access to on-premises and cloud resources, reinforced by zero trust architecture, AI-powered threat prevention, and next-gen security features—including a business VPN. 

Book a free demo today to find out more.